McCowan Fish & Chips

Excellent quality Halibut & chips for reasonable prices. The restaurant is extremely old school right down to the wood panelled walls but the food is great. The dining room service is mediocre, if they are busy you will wait. Friday’s are extremely busy in this place for take out or dine-​in. Even if you call ahead, they cook everything fresh so you will still wait a few minutes. The only think I don’t enjoy is the coleslaw, it is the vinegar dressing slaw, not creamy and sweet so if you are not a fan of the vinegar dressing slaw, don’t order it!

3.5 stars in my books.
I like this place. I like it quite a lot. There’s something about the old, quaint, slightly run-​down look of many small fish and chips places around the GTA that oddly appeals to me. These places are slowly disappearing, and I’m a bit torn between «good riddance» and «damn I’ll miss them».
McCowan Fish & Chips, true to its incredibly unimaginative and generic name, is just a small fish and chips shop on McCowan road. The place, with its wood paneling and faux plants, look like it hasn’t undergone one bit of renovation since the 70’s (60’s? can’t tell after a while). It’s small, quiet, and rather peaceful. I actually enjoyed that.
I ate by myself while waiting for my wife to get some dental work done next door. I ordered a small cod and chips, a fantastic novelty that I wished some other places offer. Essentially you can get a slightly smaller fish and less fries for a cheaper price. Since most places basically bury me under an avalanche of often-​soggy chips, this was a nice change.
The fish is standard but good. The batter is standard but good. The chips are slightly less soggy than I feared, which is good. Overall, nothing really screams WOW, but the price is lower due to the requested smaller portion and the food is fried nicely.
Owners are super nice and seem to really have a connection with the community. I saw a stream of locals come in and out for takeout as I munched away in a corner by myself. I probably won’t make a special trip here, but if I’m ever in this neck of the woods again, I think I would drop by again and enjoy that lovely fish in the serene atmosphere.

Deep friend goodness! We got the large seafood platter with halibut, 4 shrimps, 4 scallops and chips; and the calamari
A good fish a chips to me is the right batter to seafood meat ratio and this place had that! The batter was flaky and delicious and the seafood meat portions were great. They could make the coleslaw servings larger but you can always ask for more. I love how they give you the squeeze bottles for all the condiments including their tartar sauce so you can refill your heart’s desire and not have to fight with a packet of some sort!

This place is highly recommended by me: if you like fish and chips, you cannot go wrong here.
I haven’t had the cod, I went straight for the halibut. That, along with a good serving of fries came to a total of 12.00, which is on par with good fish and chips prices.
I do wish the used a larger plate so that it was a tad easier to eat, but that did not detract from my meal.
The décor looks like it’s out of the 80’s. Wood panelled walls, old lettering for the menus; it felt like a real mom and pop place.
The staff are incredibly nice, as well. I will definitely return here when I’m in the area.

The best Halibut fish and chips in Scarborough. Friendly service as well and homemade tartar sauce.

Been here a few times now and I can say, MMMMmmmmmm. This is a small place, I’d say less the a dozen tables. Food is great, Everyone now days are all about the burger, burgers everywhere, I remember when we used to be able to get decent fish & chips in your local mall. This stuff blows that stuff away by comparison, but it’s hard to find good FNC any more, With the Hospital just up the road, I hope they are making a killing.

Very delicious! I ordered the halibut and my boyfriend ordered calamari. The portions were huge and the service was exquisite. So friendly and welcoming at this place and it was our first time there :) will be back again ! Four stars for friendly service and portion size

Delicious and reasonably priced thick fillet of halibut paired with crisp home cut chips. Batter was thin, crisp, but just a little too greasy. BF had their black pudding platter with home made onion rings and commented that it was as good as the better known St. Andrew’s Fish and Chips but at half the price and with better service. I like St Andrew’s too, but the prices here are very reasonable.
Service was quick and very friendly, and if you are looking for fresh and fast (and cheap) fish and chips, McCowan is a great spot. Brisk take-​out business, but very attentive table service too.

If you like real English style fish & chips this is the place to go. Handcut chips, crispy batter with tender moist flaky fish inside. Huge servings too!

Another Scarborough gem. Service was quick, owner was really friendly, prices were just right & the food was cooked just right. Having eaten fish & chips around the world, i thought this hit the spot. Even my 6 year old, with his self diagnosed seafood allergy *eye roll* loved it. We had the seafood platter on a bitterly cold afternoon and it came to us fast & piping hot: scallops were not chewy & batter was light and crispy. I didn’t like the side coleslaw though and I thought (later, after I scarfed it all down) that the batter was a little greasy.

My husband and I were craving for fish and chips and found this out of panic. We called in and they were still open, the lady was very friendly and happy. We ordered Haddock and Chips and Cod and Chips. When we got there to pick it up, the place was empty and looked outdated. The place i run by a chinese family, nice folks. Food was really oily. Cod and as the frozen kind and still had bone in it. Haddock was fresh and batter was good, not the best though.

Got the haddock fish and chips; it was highly recommended by the owners. It costs 11.25 with tax, not including tips, and comes with 4 ounces of fish and an abundance amount of fries. Fish is battered really well and is crispy, fluffy, and fish tastes really fresh. The fries are golden brown and goes well with the fries. They also have vinegar salt which I personally liked on my fries. The place has been open for 9 years and justifiably so. They have a dine in option with nice red tablecloths; definitely coming back again! 5 stars if I had it with beer

I’ve had my fair share of fish and chips from all over, London (UK) included. This little joint delivered in a great way. Haddock and chips had a great crust on it, was very tasty and filled me up. When I think of fish and chips, this is what I picture and all for a great price. This is a great and delicious value in the neighbourhood. The best fish and chips I’ve had in Toronto which isn’t saying too much. My only drawback was the coleslaw which needed a bit more of a bite! All said and done, I will be visiting on a bi-​weekly basis. The service is kind and caring. Support locally, you won’t be disappointed.

Very oily & greasy. Fish has a nice thin batter around it, but could maybe use a little more flavour. Fries were super tasty, reminds me of B&B. Portions is decent too, the box looks small but I was getting pretty full by the end. Cost was under $ 10 without a drink. Décor looks kinda old school, it has its own character. The attendant (owners?) were friendly. Definitely a repeat visit.

This is a small family run fish and chips place that does it right. The batter on the halibut is light, and crispy with a crunch. Beautifully golden fried. The halibut steak itself is a nice thick cut. I never eat the fries, cus I’m not a fan of thick cut greasy fries.
If your in the mcowen and Lawrence area, try this place out. They also carry a great fishermans platter that’s delicious and filling.
I haven’t seen the condition of the bathroom but the place itself is clean and simple.
Simple food at its best.

Amazing fish and chips, probably my favourite in the area. The interior is set up really simply but who cares about fancy when you just want some good fish and chips. Really fast service too!

I was really enjoying the Haddock and fries meal here it was sooooo very good. Until the last time I ate here I had a reaction to something in the food. Not sure till this day what it was. I couldnt even finish my meal which was a bummer. I wish people would clean tools properly. Maybe it was shrimp I dont know. It still is a good place, but if you have allergies beware!

How come I felt so comfortable eating at McCowan Fish & Chips?
Maybe I now finally to used to sketchy Scarborough strip plaza?
For a split second I almost thought I was in one of the Northern Chinese restaurants that I frequent and want to practice my Mandarin on my waiter!
You cannot blame me as all through my lunch I was listening to the two waiters chatting in Mandarin.
Cod Fish only ($ 5.50) is sizable. The batter is crispy and crunchy. The oil can be a little fresher but it is A-​OK.
As usual, I tried one of the scallops and shrimps from my dinner mate’s Seafood Platter (he offered, really he did! I didn’t force him!) Both are not bad… but when I start eating deep fried heavy battered food, they kind of all tasted the same.
The service here is efficient and indifference… and of course remind me of the Chinese Joints I frequent!
See, now I know why I feel so comfortable eating at McCowan Fish & Chips!

Simply amazing fish and chips. Probably the best in the area. Very fast and friendly service. Price is good too.

Best fish an chips I’ve ever had an the price was right. if you are looking for real English style fish an chips with real beer batter coating this is the place.